70 cool and strange animals from around the world (an epic guide)
Travel

The world is a wild and wonderful place full of millions of cool animals most of us have never heard of.

When I grew up and felt like a strange bird, I was always fascinated by strange animals and strange insects. I even studied ornithology and entomology in high school.

The duckbill platypus and the praying mantis were my favorites in my early childhood. Today we feel a special affinity for strange looking animals like the Pangolin and the Dugong with whom we snorkeled Coron, Palawan.

Strange animals like the Baird’s Tapir (in Corcovado National Park) and Bushbaby (in Meru National Park), Flightless Cormorant (in the Galapagos Islands) and Hoatzin (in the Peruvian Amazon) in the wild was one of our favorite parts of traveling around the world together.

If you’re interested in strange birds, unusual amphibians and other cool creatures like us, you’ll love our epic guide to 70 cool, strange, and strange animals around the world!

COOL & WEIRD ANIMALS GUIDE

Strange amphibians & strange reptiles

Strange birds

Weird creepy creatures

Unique mammals

Unusual nocturnal animals

Cool animals from the sea

Weird amphibians & reptiles

Male axolotl over maxpixel

1. Axolotl

Latin name: Ambystoma mexicanum

Habitat: Mexico’s Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco

Size: Length: Up to 12 inches; Weight: 2.11 to 8 oz

Diet: Trout, salmon pellets, bloodworms, earthworms, waxworms

Condition: Endangered, population decline

This amphibious salamander, also known as the Mexican migratory fish, is threatened with extinction and almost at risk extinct in 2010.

They are strange animals because they do not get into a metamorphosis like other salamanders: Even adults remain aquatic and gillied.

Because of their ability to regenerate limbs, they are often used by scientists for research purposes.

Formerly a staple of the Aztec diet, they are now the focus of environmental protection efforts in Mexico City, where local NGOs are building “Axolotl shelters”.

CONTINUE READING: The importance of the Lorax (10 eco lessons)

Atretochoana eiselti, also known as the “penis snake”. Photo by Matt Roper

2. Atretochoana

Latin name: Atretochoana eiselti

Habitat: Brazil near the mouth of the Amazon and Madeira River

Size: Length: 2.4 feet; Weight: 1.76 to 3.52 oz

Diet: Little fish, worms

Condition: Lack of data

This strange amphibious species was first discovered on an expedition to the Brazilian rainforest in the late 19th century.

But most people had never heard of them until the workers found it six of these bizarre, eyeless creatures in 2011 during the drainage of part of the Madeira River (a tributary of the Amazon) for a controversial hydropower project.

It is also known as a “penis snake” and it is easy to understand why. They are limb-free, have snake-like bodies marked with earthworm-like rings, and heads that look like part of the male anatomy.

CONTINUE READING: 20 largest forests in the world (World Travel Bucket List)

This endangered salamander is the largest amphibian in the world and can reach lengths of up to 5 to 9 inches and weigh up to 65 pounds.

They are completely aquatic and mainly occur in the rocky mountain streams and lakes of China. However, they were introduced in Japan and Taiwan.

They have crazy noises – from barking and hissing to whining and crying – that earned him the Chinese nickname “the baby fish”. Unfortunately, the Chinese also consider it a delicacy and use it in traditional medicine.

The genus Xenopus comprises 20 species of water frogs that occur in sub-Saharan Africa. What makes them weird is the fact that they can’t hop, so they have to crawl long distances to get from one pond to another.

The frogs have eyes on their flattened heads, but no eyelids or eardrums. They also can’t move their tongues, so they use small front legs to help feed them.

When the lakes, ponds and potholes they prefer dry up, the frogs can rest for a year and wait for rain.

7. Mata Mata Turtle

Latin name: Chelus fimbriata

Habitat: Streams and swamps in the Amazon and Orinoco basins

Size: Length: Up to 18 inches; Weight: 30 pounds

Diet: Fish, frogs, insects

Condition: Almost threatened

This South American freshwater turtle is found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, especially in slow-flowing streams and swamps, where it can stand in shallow water and stretch its nose to the surface to breathe.

It is an unusual, ancient looking creature that is clearly made for camouflage.

It has a horny snout and a flattened, triangular head that looks like fallen leaves, and a brown / black bowl that is said to resemble bark.

With a length of up to 18 inches and a weight of 30 pounds, it’s a big, trippy-looking turtle!

10. Purple frog

This grape-colored Goliath, also known as the Indian Purple Frog or Pignose Frog, looks like a grimace (if it were a fat frog with a small head and a pointed muzzle).

The endangered frog’s trunk is endemic to the western ghats of India and is said to help it feed on its favorite food, termites.

They spend most of their time underground: they only appear once a year, for two weeks during the monsoon season in India.

A breeding pair lays up to 3,000 eggs a year in rocks along streams and then returns to the underground.

READ MORE: Indian Animals: A Guide to 40 Incredible Indian Wildlife Species

Indian Gharial, photo by DaFranzos via Pixabay

11. Indian Gharial

Latin name: Gavialis gangeticus

Habitat:Fresh water rivers, sand banks

Size: Length: 8.9 to 16 feet; Weight: 350 to 550 pounds

Diet: Fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs

Condition: Endangered, population growth

Another unusual animal in India, the alligator-like gharial, is characterized by its long, narrow snout and a bizarre grin of almost 100 teeth.

These endangered reptiles can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh almost 2,000 pounds.

Formerly spread across South Asia, there are currently fewer than 1,000 wildlife. These days, they can only be found together Rivers in India and Nepal.

What sets these unique animals apart from other crocodiles is that instead of having to watch their next meal, they can locate prey by picking up vibrations in the water through sensory cells in their sensational snouts.

12. European legless lizard

Habitat: Forest areas throughout southern Europe, in the Balkans, on the South Crimean coast, on the Black Sea coast and in Central Asia

Size: Length: 2 to 3 feet; Weight: 7.05 to 14.10 oz

Diet: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms, cockroach nymphs

Condition: Lack of data

The European legless lizard, also known as Scheltopusik or Pallas glass lizard, occurs in all of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Their nickname comes from an ancient myth that if broken, they would break like glass. Strangely, this story of old women is partially true!

These lizards are one of the few strange animals that are used caudal autotomyand will break off their tail in an act of self-defense when they feel threatened.

European legless lizards are often mistaken for snakes because they have no legs and can be up to 4 feet long. In fact, they resemble snakes so much that they were used in the snake pit scene of classic adventure film. Indiana Jones & theHunter of the lost treasure.

CONTINUE READING: The secret way in the city of Petra

“File: Mossy Frog (68400615) .jpeg” from DarwIn is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Vietnamese moss frog

Latin name: Theloderma corticale

Habitat: Cliffs and rainforests in North Vietnam

Size: Length: 2.5 to 3.5 inches

Diet: Crickets, cockroaches, earthworms

Condition: Least worried, the population is shrinking

These strange looking animals appear exactly as their name suggests – mossy. They are green with black spots and their skin is covered with tubercles and spines.

This semi-aquatic amphibian species occurs mainly in North Vietnam and spends most of its time in the water. It lies on crevices where they can hardly be distinguished from moss itself.

This type of camouflage comes in handy when under threat. Just like their ability to cast their voices up to 3 meters high to confuse their predators!

Strange birds

California Condor by USFWS Pacific SW

14. California Condor

Latin name: Gymnogyps californianus

Habitat: Rocky scrubland, coniferous forests, oak savannas

Size: Length: 43 to 55 inches; Weight: 20 to 24 pounds

Diet: Dead carcasses

Condition: Endangered, population growth

The largest land bird in North America, the weird looking one California Condor will soon no longer win any beauty contests.

But what makes this endangered scavenger one of the strangest birds in the world is its size.

Her massive 8 to 10 foot wingspan is 43 to 55 inches in length and 15 to 31 pounds in weight. They have been mistaken for small planes more than once.

These animals are cool. They also have some impressive skills, such as flying more than three miles without flapping their wings.

CONTINUE READING: List of national parks in America by state

Flightless cormorants by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

15. Flightless cormorant

Latin name: Nannopterum harrisi

Habitat: Rocky shores of the volcanic islands

Size: Length: 2.91 to 3.29 feet; Weight: 5.5 to 11 pounds

Diet: Fish, squid, squid

Condition: Vulnerable, population stable

Only found in the Galapagos Islands, this is one of the rarest bird species in the world, of which around 1000 are still left.

The Flightless cormorant is a strange bird with black and brown feathers, bright turquoise eyes and soft growling voices.

Their blunt wings are about 1/3 the size they would need to fly, but in the water they could give any sea lion a run for their money.

With their webbed skin and strong legs, they dive to the bottom of the ocean in search of fish, eels, octopus and other small prey.

CONTINUE READING: 30 amazing Galapagos Islands animals

Two hoatzins, photo by Mary Gabbett

16. Hoatzin

Latin name: Opisthocomus hoazin

Habitat: Forests along streams, mangroves, swamps in South America

Size: Length: 25 to 26 inches; Weight: 1.78 pounds

Diet: Marsh plants

Condition: Least worried, the population is shrinking

Hoatzin, also known as the Canje pheasant (or punk rock bird), is genetically enigmatic and there has been intense scientific debate about its evolutionary connections to other species.

The pheasant-sized bird, whose chicks have claws on two of its wing digits, is also known as the stinkbird due to the manure-like odor caused by its unique digestive system.

Their sounds are also strange, including a bizarre variety of groans, croaks, hisses, and grunts that are often associated with his body movements.

If you’ve watched award-winning Environmental documentation such as planet EarthYou’ve probably seen the dazzling mating dance that makes this dazzling New Guinea beauty so special.

Their female population is unusually low and competition for mating privileges is fierce. This is how men meticulously prepare their dance floor before loudly naming the object of their affection.

The dance is spectacular: it spreads its black feather cloak and blue-green breastplate wide and snaps its tail feathers as it bounces around them. Most women reject 15 to 20 applicants before giving their consent!

CONTINUE READING: Galapagos birds: 25 spectacular species

Billtacular’s “Screaming Screamer” is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

24. Horned screamer

Latin name: Anhima Cornuta

Habitat: Fresh water lagoons, tropical humid savannas, lakes

Size: Length: 1.08 to 1.23 feet; Weight: 6.9 to 7.7 pounds

Diet: Aquatic plants, seeds, stems, leaves

Condition: Least worried, the population is shrinking

Although Horned Screamers are related to Swans, you can’t see the look of these weird looking animals.

As the name suggests, they have a horn-like attachment that sticks out of the head. It doesn’t seem to have any particular purpose, unlike the spores on its wings (which are used for fighting).

These unique birds are clearly fond of hearing and have a very distinctive reputation that is often performed as a duet between mating men and women.

The Horned Screamer lives in the swamps of South America and is the official bird of the Arauca department in Colombia.

CONTINUE READING: The best things to do in Cartagena, Colombia

Victoria Crowned Pigeon, photo by InspiredImages via Pixabay

25. Victoria crowned pigeon

Latin name: Goura Victoria

Habitat: Lowland and swamp forests in northern New Guinea

Size: Length: 29 inches; Weight: Up to 5.5 pounds

Diet: Fruit, seeds, cereals, small invertebrates

Condition: Almost threatened, population decline

These colorful pigeons, named after the British monarch Queen Victoria, captivate with their beauty.

They are powder blue with a purple breast and have a complicated, almost lacy crown, which together with their posture makes them undeniably royal.

These interesting animals are the largest pigeons in the world and live closest to the extinct dodo bird.

The Victoria Crowned Pigeons, who live in the forests of New Guinea, do not like to be alone and usually travel in pairs or in small groups. People are often surprised by their reputation, which is not like the quiet “cooing” of other pigeons, but rather a hollow “boom”.

35. Venezuelan Poodle Moth

Discovered in Venezuela’s Gran Sabana region by Kyrgyzstan’s Dr. Arthur Anker in 2009, this unusual insect looks like a cross between a poodle and an angora sweater.

Ankara’s odd (some might say adorable) discovery went relatively unnoticed for several years, until someone posted his photo of the fuzzy white moth with bulging black eyes and bizarre antennae online.

It quickly went viral, but the moth (which experts believe belongs to the Artace genus) has yet to be confirmed as a new species.

The first scientists to study them (back in 1799) deemed them fake, made from sewing several different weird animals together!

It’s easy to understand their confusion. This adorable oddball has the bill of a Duck, the feet of an Otter, the tail of a Beaver, and venom in the spur of the male’s foot. It’s also one of only two mammals in the world that lays eggs.

They were once hunted for their fur, but are now protected throughout their range in eastern Australia.

Of all the mammals in the world, the male Sulawesi Babirusas is the only one to have vertically growing canine teeth.

Their not-so-pearly whites actually grow through their skin and curve back towards their forehead, ultimately reaching up to 17 inches long.

Native to the rainforests and swamps of Indonesianislands, these unusual animals are not picky eaters. Their diet consists of everything from leaves and insects to fish, and even smaller Babirusas!

Their antler-like teeth, along with a stocky body and slender legs, led to their name: Babirusas means “pig-deer” in the Malay language.

READ MORE: Fascinating Facts About Bornean & Sumatran Orangutans

Proboscis Monkey at Sepilok Forest Reserve, photo in Public Domain

48. Proboscis Monkey

Latin Name: Nasalis larvatus

Habitat: Mangrove swamps, lowland rainforests

Size: Length: 1.7 to 2.5 feet; Weight: 21 to 45 pounds

Diet: Leaves, seeds, unripe fruits, insects

Conservation Status: Endangered, population decreasing

These weird animals earned the name Proboscis from their bulbous noses, which can grow up to 7 inches long.

Though they may appear odd to us, they also prove that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because Proboscis Monkey males actually use their ginormous noses to attract female mates.

Found in the jungles of Borneo (including the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve), these monkeys are largely arboreal. spending most of their time in the trees. But, surprisingly, they are extremely strong swimmers as well.

Due to palm oil deforestation and other forms of habitat destruction, their populations have declined sharply in recent years. So the species is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list.

READ MORE: Things to Do in Sabah, Borneo for Nature Lovers

UNUSUAL NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

Aye Aye, photographed by Frank Vassen via Creative Commons

49. Aye-Aye

Latin Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis

Habitat: Rainforests and deciduous forests on the east coast of Madagascar

Size: Length: 14 to 17 in; Weight: 4 pounds

Diet: Nuts, nectar, fungi, insect grubs

Conservation Status: Endangered, population decreasing

These endangered Lemurs are the world’s largest nocturnal primate and have furry gremlin faces, rodent-like teeth, and long Crypt Keeper-style fingers.

To find food, the Aye-Aye first taps on trees to find grubs, then chews a small hole before using their narrow middle finger to pull a tasty meal out of the wood.

Some superstitious locals believe these weird animals to be harbingers of evil or death, and will often kill them on sight.

60. Dumbo Octopus

Found only at extreme ocean depths of 10,000 to 13,000 feet, Grimpoteuthis is a genus containing 13 species of Octopus, whose webbed tentacles look like an umbrella when spread.

Theses cool animals are known for the prominent ear-like fins, which jut out comically just above their eyes (much like a certain flying Elephant from the Walt Disney stable).

Though they’re found in deep waters all around the world, they rank among the most uncommon animals of the Octopus species.

READ MORE: Snorkeling the Ruahata Lagoon Sanctuary in Bora Bora

Frilled Shark, photographed by Citron via Creative Commons

61. Frilled Shark

Latin Name: Chlamydoselachus anguineus

Habitat: Sea floor of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Size: Length: 6.6 feet

Diet: Squid, fish, other sharks

Conservation Status: Least Concern

One of the world’s most rarely seen creepy animals, the Frilled Shark crosses the line into frightening, WTF territory.

Found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at depths of up to 5,000 feet, this rare “living fossil” is a positively prehistoric species of shark.

Its monstrous appearance includes an eel-like body, six frilly pairs of gill slits, and 300 trident-shaped teeth in 25 rows that allow it to rip through prey like a knife through hot butter. Cute, huh?

The Japanese name for this species is taka-ashi-gani, which literally translates to “tall legs crab.”

These crazy animals– whose legs can span 12 feet in length, weigh up to 42 pounds, and crawl along the ocean floor like a creepy spider– looks like something that might attack Tokyo in the next Godzilla movie.

Orange, with white spots along the legs, these crabs reportedly have a very gentle disposition despite their daunting appearance.

READ MORE: Japan Photos: 15 Pictures from a Dream Come True

Mantis Shrimp, photographed by Silke Baron via Creative Commons

66. Mantis Shrimp

Latin Name: Stomatopoda

Habitat: Shallow or subtropical waters

Size: Length: 3.9 to 18 in

Diet: Fish, crabs, shrimp, worms

Conservation Status: Data Deficient

It may look like a cross between a crayfish, a praying mantis, and a colorful parrot, but the Mantis Shrimp is not to be trifled with.

Its raptorial appendages move so quickly, they literally boil the water around them, producing shockwaves strong enough to kill prey!

Seeing its vivid colors amongst the coral reef last year in Coron, Palawan was one of the most exciting and memorable experiences we’ve ever had while snorkeling or Scuba diving during our travels.

70. Ribboned Seadragon

Ribboned Seadragons are not in fact true seadragons, but a member of the pipefish group. They’re also known as Pipe Horses, and can be found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Their stunning colors vary based on the depth of water they reside in. Those in shallow water are usually a greenish-yellow color, while those found in deeper waters appear more brownish-red.

Their appearance is quite striking, as they have ribbon-like protrusions along their body as well as a long, tubular snout.

They can be distinguished from the Weedy and Leafy Seadragons by their tail, which they use to grab onto sea grass while looking for prey. –by Bret Love, with additional reporting by Christina Maggitas

Note: We are not the author of this content. For the Authentic and complete version,
Check its Original Source